DEVILS (10-14-5) vs. PENGUINS (16-8-5)
TV: 7:00 p.m. ET; Televised MSG+
RADIO: Devils Hockey Network
Head-to-Head
This is the second of four games between the Devils and Penguins this season. In the first matchup this season on Oct. 30, New Jersey won 4-2 on the road. Following a home game against the Penguins, the Devils head to Pittsburgh to play Tuesday. The final contest between these teams is Feb. 24 in New Jersey.
Devils Team Scope:
The Devils come into tonight on a five-game losing streak, including a 5-2 loss in Detroit last night. Tonight is the second half of a back-to-back and the fourth game of the week. Michael McLeod scored his second of the season, and first non-empty net goal of the year, while Dawson Mercer scored his first career shorthanded goal.
Two notable roster notes: first Jesper Bratt did not play Saturday due to a non-COVID related illness. Second, primary goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is day-to-day after suffering a neck injury during New Jersey's game against the Golden Knights. He did not travel with the Devils to Detroit. With Akira Schmid getting the start against the Red Wings, it is expected that Jon Gillies will start against the Penguins.
The Devils were hit hard with a non-COVID related illness, that spread through the team earlier in the week. However, Devils head coach Lindy Ruff liked his team's energy during Saturday's morning skate following an off day Friday. At the moment, New Jersey has five players on the league's COVID protocol list: P.K. Subban, Nico Hischier, Ryan Graves, Christian Jaros, and Jesper Boqvist.
Penguins Team Scope:
The Penguins come into the game with on a six game winning streak, including a 3-2 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres on Friday. Since Dec. 3, the Penguins have outscored their opponents 23 to 8. Overall, the Penguins are 12th in the standings and fourth in the metropolitan division. They have a 16-8-5 record and a 8-5-2 home record.
Jake Guentzle is currently the team's goals leader (15), and points leader (27), however he is out with an upper body injury. Kris Letang leads Pittsburgh with 19 assists. A player to watch is Evan Rodrigues who is second in goals (10), third in assists (13), and second in points (23). Rodrigues has seven points in the team's last five games (2G-5A). Tristan Jarry has played the majority of Pittsburgh's games this season and has a 14-5-4 record. He's averaging 1.92 goals against, has a .933 save percentage, and three shutouts.
Pittsburgh has the best penalty kill in the league with a 93% success rate, however are 29th in the league when it comes to the power play (15.7% success rate). The Penguins are stingy at allowing goals against them, letting in an average of 2.41 goals against, the third lowest throughout the NHL.
By the Numbers:
Devils forward Dawson Mercer has had a strong impression during his rookie season; however, he picked up another 'first' Saturday against the Red Wings. Mercer scored his first shorthanded goal - giving the penalty kill an extra impact in the game.
The Penguins penalty kill is deadly this season - ranked first in the league. However, the special teams unit has kept its opponents from scoring in 15 straight contests, killing off 35 straight penalties.
Injury Updates:
Devils
Thompson (IR, upper body)
Wood (IR, hip)
Bernier (IR, hip)
Blackwood (day-to-day, neck)
Bratt (TBD, non-COVID sickness)
Graves (COVID protocol)
Hischier (COVID protocol)
Jaros (COVID protocol)
Boqvist (COVID protocol)
Subban (COVID protocol)
Penguins
Rust (lower body)
Guentzle (upper body)
Boyle (lower body)
--Catherine Bogart, NJD.TV
